Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Pope Benedict XVI says goodbye — to his red shoes
Retiring Pope Benedict XVI gets to keep a couple titles — "Your Holiness Benedict XVI" and "emeritus pope" — and his white cassock. But he's turning in his signature red shoes and going brown. Published February 26, 2013
Nevada recluse’s gold fortune to be auctioned for taxes
Carson City, Nev., officials have hit pay dirt. Cleanup crews called to empty the home of recently deceased recluse Walter Samaszko Jr. found a stash of gold — and taxes will eat up half of it. Published February 26, 2013
Louis Farrakhan: Failing to confirm Hagel as defense secretary ‘sentences America to war with Iran’
Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel may not find a lot of love within the Republican Party, but Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan supports him. Published February 26, 2013
Gun maker Beretta threatens to leave Maryland, take hundreds of jobs
Major weapons manufacturer Beretta USA is vowing to close shop and leave Maryland if the state passes new gun-control measures. Published February 26, 2013
Prominent member of Chinese Communist Party flips out at airport
A prominent member of China's Communist Party went on a rampage at Kunming Changshui International Airport, after the stresses of a poor travel experience finally took their toll. A video of the scene, meanwhile, has gone viral online. Published February 26, 2013
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie being snubbed by CPAC, source says
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican with a large Democratic following, has been left off the list of invited speakers at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference. Published February 26, 2013
Investors spooked by Italy’s election stalemate
Italy's stock market took a nosedive after election polls put a comedian's protest party ahead, and voting ended with no clear winner in parliament. Published February 26, 2013
Kentucky Fried Chicken says goodbye to 1,000 Chinese farm suppliers
Kentucky Fried Chicken has cut ties with more than 1,000 farms in China, following a food safety scandal that led to a dramatic drop in sales at the fast-food chain last year. Published February 26, 2013
Oregon Democrat’s bill would legalize medical marijuana at federal level
An Oregon Democrat has introduced legislation to legalize marijuana for medical use at the federal level. Published February 26, 2013
Remembering the fallen: Ceremony marks 20th anniversary of first WTC attack
The first attack on the World Trade Center that left six dead and more than 1,000 injured took place 20 years ago Tuesday, just past noon. Published February 26, 2013
Syrian military targets Aleppo, leaving at least 141 dead
A human rights group reports that military forces for Syrian President Bashar Assad have shot several ballistic missiles into the rebel stronghold city of Aleppo, leaving at least 141 adults and children dead. Published February 26, 2013
Israel hit by rocket from Gaza Strip, as tensions mount
Police say a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip caused damage just south of the city of Ashkelon, as tensions continue to mount between Israelis and Palestinians, just weeks before President Obama is due to make his first visit to the area. Published February 26, 2013
Census Bureau drops ‘Negro’ for blacks or African-Americans
The Census Bureau is finally dropping its century-old reference to black Americans as "Negros," and adopting more modern-day lingo — "black" or "African American." Published February 26, 2013
Hot air balloon crash in Egypt kills 19
At least 19 have been reported killed after the hot air balloon they were riding crashed near Luxor, one of Egypt's top tourist destinations, according to a report from a security official. Published February 26, 2013
Iran dismisses ‘Argo’ as ‘advertisement for the CIA’
Iran's state-run media dismissed the award-winning "Argo" as little more than propaganda, calling it an "advertisement for the CIA" and characterizing it as offensive to Muslims. Published February 25, 2013
Batman sidekick son Robin the Boy Wonder to be killed off
Robin the Boy Wonder is finally getting the boot. Published February 25, 2013
Watchdog: Illinois has $22 billion of unpaid bills
A Chicago-based watchdog group said Illinois will have $22 billion worth of unpaid bills within the next few years unless lawmakers reform pension plans. Published February 25, 2013
U.K. vows to ‘redouble its efforts’ to tackle debt
A top U.K. official has answered a Moody's downgrade of its AAA credit rating with a vow to double down on efforts to tackle debt. Published February 25, 2013
Secretary of State John Kerry invents new country: ‘Kyrzakhstan’
Newly minted Secretary of State John Kerry is sweeping through Europe and the Middle East on a nine-nation tour, meeting with top global heads to forge diplomatic relations — and, apparently, even creating new countries. Published February 25, 2013
Business rails against Obama energy policy as gas prices keep soaring
A group of top corporate executives is calling on President Obama to enact comprehensive energy policies so that industry might have an idea on how best to proceed in developing the nation's energy sources. Published February 25, 2013
